While spending time in the Great Outdoors can be a wonderful way to connect with nature, it can bring with it a few unwelcome visitors. If you want to keep potentially harmful insects and animals away from your campsite, here are a few tips you can use. You may even find that some options can be used at home when you return from your trip.

Pick A Clear Site

Choose a campsite with close, cut grass, as this will help you avoid ticks and other insects that tend to hide in tall grass or shrubbery. If possible, select a site set away from the trees and any body of water. While you don't want to be completely away from the natural settings, putting a little distance between tall trees and standing water can mean fewer mosquitoes and ticks around your tent.

Store Food Securely

Animals and insects alike can be attracted to the food you bring to the campsite, so be sure to secure these items in containers with tightly sealing lids. Use coasters to cover soda cans, as this can keep flies and bees out of the cans, and clear any food waste from the site by placing it into approved trash containers at the campground. Empty pots of water used to boil food so the standing water doesn't attract mosquitoes.

Add A Screen Tent

A screen tent is a structure that features screens on all side to keep bugs at bay. This can create the perfect place to share meals without having to worry about flying insects. If you want to keep ants away from your food, choose a screen tent that includes a floor. Remember that insects can still come into the screen from the ground if there is no flooring area to the tent.

Stock Up On Repellent

There's no way to keep all pests away from your campsite, but you can reduce the chances you'll be bitten or bothered by using plenty of insect repellent. Use spray on your clothing, and use citronella candles at night around the campfire to fend off mosquitoes.

Many of these tips can be applied to your own backyard when you host barbecues or outdoor parties. Keep your lawn neatly maintained, use repellents for added protection, and clear away food scraps after meals. If you are concerned about pests in your backyard, contact a pest control company to inspect and use chemical treatments to keep pesky pests away from your yard.

Contact a business like Fox Valley Environmental Pest Control for more information.